2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Author: Watson Peacock

  • CDS-418 PROFESSIONAL STUDIO PRACTICES II

    The final required course builds on the first,,Professional Studio Practice I, and expands on,concepts of contemporary design practice within,the Communication Design and Strategy field. In,this course, students’ understanding of various,forms of their professional life can be,envisioned, from independent contracts to,junior/senior positions, and studio ownership.,Students and faculty critically curate their,graduating portfolio to align with the,professional goals they have established. Students,integrate contemporary tools and media platforms,relative to best practices within the design,industry. Differentiating the role of resumes,,websites, social media, and interview,presentations to create a kit that prepares,students for their post-CCS careers. This course,includes on-site/remote visits that include BIPOC,studio practitioners as guest critics to provide,additional insights as they transition to the,professional design industry.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CDS 312, CDS 317*,*Formely DGD 312 and DGD 317

  • CDS-475 COMMUNICATION DESIGN STRATEGY INTERNSHI

    Participation in an internship experience allows,students to use classroom-learned skills in a,related employment experience. Students must work,a minimum of 135 hours over the course of the,entire semester. To participate students must be,of junior or senior status with completion of,freshman and sophomore studios. Students must,have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. Seniors may,not be eligible to participate in an internship,during their final semester. Transfer students,must have attended one semester at CCS in addition,to meeting the other eligibility criteria.

    Credits: 6

    Prerequisites:

  • CLA-605 DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY I

    This is the first of a series of studio courses,that allow students on the MA and MFA Design for,Sustainability programs to develop their skills,and knowledge in live design briefs with industry,and community partners. By their nature, these,courses include socio-economic and political,considerations. The studio courses are designed to,challenge students with projects of,increasing complexity and progressively strengthen,the students’ problem-solving skills.,Students will solve design problems requiring,substantive research, concept ideation and,realization, and implementation.,In conjunction with the Zero-Waste Materials and,Processes course, Design for Sustainability I,uses creative practice to focus on life-cycle,analysis: manufacturing cycles, materials cycles,,and,distributions systems.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CLA-606 DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY II

    This is the second of a series of studio courses,that allow students on the MA and MFA Design,for Sustainability programs to develop their,skills and knowledge in live design briefs with,industry and community partners. By their nature,,these courses include socio-economic and,political considerations. These studio courses are,designed to challenge students with projects,of increasing complexity and progressively,strengthen the students’ problem-solving skills.,Students will solve design problems requiring,substantive research, concept ideation and,realization, and implementation. Projects on this,course address the environmental impact of,human habitats, including domestic waste,infrastructures, energy usage, transport systems,and,logistics.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CLA 605

  • CLA-607 DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY III

    This is the third and final of a series of studio,courses that allow students on the MFA Design for,Sustainability program to develop their skills and,knowledge in live design briefs with industry,and community partners. By their nature, these,courses include socio-economic and political,considerations. The studio courses are designed to,challenge students with projects of,increasing complexity and progressively strengthen,the students’ problem-solving skills.,Students will solve design problems requiring,substantive research, concept ideation and,realization, and implementation. Projects on this,course address environmental stewardship,,concern for natural habitats, ecology, urban green,spaces, and land use.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: CLA 605 CLA 606

  • CLA-612 INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCE

    This course introduces scientific theories,,methodologies, and findings used to explain,anthropogenic climate change. It provides,designers and those from other disciplines with a,clear understanding of processes, terminology,,data and statistics that can reliably inform and,support problem solving and systems intervention,with multidisciplinary perspectives; it enables,credible and transparent shaping of strategic,narratives and communication.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CLA-621 ZERO-WASTE DESIGN (Materials & Process)

    This course introduces students to the selection,and specification of appropriate materials,,processes and systems for carbon neutral,,non-polluting design. Students explore low-energy,and renewable materials, closed-loop manufacturing,and construction, industrial symbiosis, and,perpetual material cycles for circular economies. ,Students learn about the development and selection,of non-harmful materials and processes, localized,logistics, design for disassembly, longevity and,ethics. The course also covers regulatory factors,relating to safety standards, materials recovery,and reuse, pollution and emissions.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CLA-626 CLIMATE NARRATIVES

    In this course, students will learn techniques for,effective listening, persuasion and negotiation in,the climate crisis. They will learn to form,rational and ethical arguments and debates that,advance positive action informed by verifiable,data.,,The climate crisis is culturally and politically,complex, and often polarized. Communication,narratives require rational, measured and skillful,delivery. In this course, with reference to the,work of others, students will learn how to create,accurate and well-judged communication, PR, and,persuasion strategies in the climate crisis, using,text and audio-visual formats through a range of,media channels (social and commercial).

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CLA-631 CIRCULAR ECONOMIES AND DESIGN

    On this course, students learn about the,principles of the circular economy. Students,explore the economic advantages for,cradle-to-cradle design, closed loop,manufacturing, align of waste-streams to material,flows, and industrial symbiosis. Through a design,assignment, students explore the challenges of,transitioning from infinite growth to circular,economies.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CLA-722 DES. ADVOCACY IN SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

    On this course, students will reflect on their,program studies so far and make persuasive cases,for policy change. Understanding global mapping of,climate action, business practices, and social,justice is necessary for effective advocacy for,change. Students will learn about geo-political,,economic and trading factors that impact climate,change.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: